G-d could be said to be the ultimate Facilitator on one hand, or the ultimate
Participant on the other. In that there are times when He merely "enables"
decisions to be made, and others when He Himself makes them. We'll soon see
how that's so.

Recall first, though, that we spoke last time of the universe being governed
by celestial "committees" and "board of directors". It's important to realize
that they're often -- but not always -- "chaired" by G-d, and that they're
otherwise comprised of the transcendent forces and angels. It's the latter
who serve either as advocates of or opponents to whatever is under
consideration.

Now, when a decision has to be made about the workings of the universe, such
a "committee" is convened in Heaven. Regardless of whether G-d "chairs" one
of these committees or not, He invariably facilitates the deliberation
process and makes sure that all the information needed to make a good and
honest decision is made available.

Understand, of course, that there are a near infinite number of ingredients
to factor into each case at hand. Since *everything* is comprised of a
melange of elements, and each element is itself comprised of a superabundance
of nuances and hues. Consider just one such thing in the context of another
one, and you're faced with a boundless universe of phenomena vying for
attention. Add to that the fact that some of this is straightforward and a
matter of record, and that much of it's secreted in the hearts of the
individuals under consideration, and you begin to grasp the magnitude of the
task.

All that information, though, is available to G-d, and He makes it all
accessible to the committee. As such, everything is judged with absolute
accuracy.

Hence, only G-d Almighty could ever facilitate such a meeting; and only His
transcendent forces and angels could ever comprehend and retain all that
information, and have the wisdom and breadth of vision to weigh it all and
come to a decision that best serves G-d's ultimate purposes.

Understand, of course, that G-d Himself is well aware of all the facts
involved beforehand, but He nonetheless allows the committee members to state
their arguments as they see fit, and allows them to render decisions on their
own.

The other point is that for reasons known only to Him, G-d chooses to chair
some committees and to make the final decision and yet chooses not to chair
others.

This series is dedicated to the memory of Yitzchak Hehrsh ben Daniel,
and Sarah Rivka bas Yaakov Dovid.